The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-01-13

49, NOAN al >dulN RuIlliUK SO4k- IVA
those who were fighting 80 brayely.
Toby crept up and leant his elbows on
her knees.
Roxy" he whispered. ..if yer don't
see lobe no more arter ter night, don't
be skecred. I'm goin' arter Rod
rick he said solemnly. as his sister
started with surprise.
mo no. Tobe!' winding her strong,
young arms close about his thin little
form. .you'ye got to stay hyah an take
keer Ut us now she murmured. sooth-
ingly, As gently swaying to and fro she
rocked his head III her lap. Two big
tears fell on her busy fingers. then press
ing a kiss on her sunburnt cheek, he
drew near the bright wood fire and sat
still holding his face between his hands,
watching, perhaps for the last time, the
pine knots blaze and burn: watching
till the light died down to red ashes.
then crumbled into dust. When the
sun rose again, gliding the purple
mountain peaks and touching the tiny
clouds till they glowed like molten
silver. lobe was far on his way to the
Federal camp.
Morning waxed to noontide and still
the little figure in patched clothes cover
edwith dust travelled unwearidly. Now
and then stopping to bathc his feet in
some waysidc spring. snatching a fallen
apple kissed too holly by the autumn
sun. on and on past the swelling hills
fond and projecting as mothers
breasts, till the long shadows stretch,
like Grants arms. toward the sea.
Another turn in the rocky road and
Toby sees tents pitched close ut hand.
before which sentinels in blue uniforms
pass necessarily. Toby brings no pass
port nothing but brave heart and a
pair Of big brown eyes, bright now
with a great hope.
want to be stable boy. do you,
John ~ ,Rebb?" laughs the soldier.
Toby pulls his forelock in imitation
Of military ctiquet. Il pleases the man,
who, slapping him not nnkindly on his
thin shoulders, pushes him toward the
Enclosure. There's the stable. Go
see what you can do"
Saddle that new horse for the
Colonel If you CAM can't manage
him, shouts private.
An instant and the boy hand presses
the horses neck-wcll do they know
each other, playmates for years. The
horse bends his glossy neck in loving
submission. The color comes and goes
i'm Toby's cheek like pulse. This is
the moment for him to act. and like a
flash he is in his accustomed seat and
together they dash at the rude log fence,
clearing it at one bound, and fly madly
across the grass out to the open road.
A whistling sound breaks the air near
Toby's head-another and another, rs
they 60 like = pent-np storm. TObv's
hat lies back IN the camp and his brown
hair flies out straight behind him.
Without turning his head he knows
they are following him. 1t was too
much for little Rebel to steal such
horse under their very noses. and three
soldiers are coming in hot pursuit.
Roderick knows it too and strains
himself to the utmost; he leaps across
the parched brook, up the mountain
side. breaking the dry twigs and scatter
ing the fallen leaves. Bullets were
whizzing through the hazy air and
Toby feels sharp, quick pain in his side
1t is nothing. ne thinks-something
strikes his arm and it drops powerless
to his side; but the faithful horse knows
the beloved form he carries and seems
BY the swaying Of his body to hold the
rider firm. The three soldiers are
close upon them now. Toby could
hear their shouts but that he is sunk in
to sort Of dream. He seems to be
gathering sumac on the golden
mountain side with Roxy, and looking
up sees Rodcrick flying past. Three
men are close behind him. and in front
. cloud of dust rises mp like smoke
from battle ground.
There are more soldiers behind the
eloud-soidiers in gray, who are cheer
ing family in the distance: The boy
reels in his seat, but rousing himself in
time catches the horses silky name
Gloss In his fingers.
Rodcrick knows that he must win
this race for liberty, and with q final
effort dashes forward on the home
stretch. The shouts Of the grays rend
the air as the next moment they SUR
round the fugitives.
A tall angular figure catches the boy
in his arms, but mist blinds Toby's
eyes now-he cannot see the love and
pride that soften the old rugged face.
can scarcely hear the broken words.
my Tobe-my brave hoy, speak to
to Yer ole pap
Only for . moment the big brown
eyes open wide and the skinny little
hand feels for his fathers horny fingers
Pap" he gasps, hesitatingly. i've
brung-Pete's hoss-home.